Massdrop x Grace Design m9XX DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Grace Design m9XX DAC/Amp

Chief Product Officer

Oct 23, 2015

Hey Everyone,
Nearly a year ago, we launched our first collaboration, a project I lead with AKG. Our goal was to redefine price to performance expectations for open back desktop headphones at the $199 price point. Judging by reviews and related threads, it’s hard to say we missed the mark. The success of that product was a proof of concept. We validated the idea that we could go beyond selling products, breaking into the realm of production and involving dedicated community members to design the products they want.
Since then, we’ve worked with a number of manufacturers to create and release products based on feedback from the enthusiast community at large. Some of them are co-branded, some are labeled “Massdrop Exclusive”, and some are made by contract manufacturers at our behest. All of them have been successful, and all of them have offered an exceptional value to customers, attracting Audiophile and laymen customers alike.
In January, I contacted Grace Design about the prospect of working together to create a new product. Something that would take all the audiophile components from their m920 (flagship headphone mastering system, ~$1500), improve them where possible, and bring the product into an accessible price range. See, the trouble with the m920 was that, while it’s a world-class DAC/Amp, it has tons of hardware that’s only useful for Pro Audio applications (special interfaces with steep licensing costs, etc). Even still, the m920 sold exceptionally well among audiophiles (especially on massdrop) looking for the highest resolution DAC implementation and cleanest solid state amplification.
With the m9XX, we’ve achieved our goal, bringing the price down to $499 shipped in the united states, while maintaining the m920’s performance level for Audiophile applications, as evidenced by measurements and subjective impressions alike. To do this, Grace had to innovate on nearly every aspect of the design. Grace built a trans-impedance amplifier with an output impedance of just .08 ohms and no capacitors in the signal path. They created a dual power supply allowing use as a portable USB powered device while delivering over 1 watt of power per channel into a 32ohm load with both power supplies engaged. We built the most satisfying volume control on any audiophile device (digitally stepped volume control, light tactile bump at every half db with subtle but audible click, low enough resistance to spin comfortably).
Ultimately it’s your job to decide if the product we made is worthwhile, and I can’t wait to hear what everyone has to say. That said, rather than just casting your opinions into the nether, how about you go one step further and think of a question to ask the designers.
Starting now, and ending on Saturday night, I’ll be collecting questions from this thread, and on Sunday I’ll post all the answers, straight from Grace (and Massdrop where applicable) right...
HERE (I’ll edit this post and add the Q/A)
Put on your thinking caps, man your keyboards, quit lurking, and ask something only you’re clever enough to think of. This thread is your line straight to some of the best audio device engineers alive, I’d make use if I was you.
Best,
Will
EDIT:
Check out the head-fi review thread here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/785553/grace-design-x-massdrop-m9xx-dac-amp-review-first-impressions/15

Oct 23, 2015

ManofConquest

Oct 25, 2015

WillHi Will,
I'm not really knowledgable about when do drops begin so if you were so kind, what time would this drop exactly begin at tomorrow? I like other people perhaps have work and I'm not sure if I should stay up to 12 to get this (EST) or 3 since maybe you're using CA time. Thanks!

Oct 25, 2015